The Citizen, 2015-12-10, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015.
By Rev. Mark Royall
Huron Chapel Evangelical
Missionary Church
What if it were all true? What if
the mind-boggling vastness of our
endless universe and the complexity
of our very own bodies were not just
an accident or a fluke but were
actually part of a Creator’s plan. And
what if this Creator who made us
loved us so much that He could not
stay silent but He had to reach out to
us so He gave us His Word, a Book?
And though our finite minds could
never begin to comprehend all this
Creator was and is, this Book, the
Bible, tells all we need to know to be
in a relationship with Him? And
what if He loved us so much that He
gave us His only Son who would
teach and lead us and who would
even die in our place so that we
could live for ever with our Creator?
At Christmas, we remember how
our Creator God broke into our
history by sending a Saviour who
would save us from our sin. I call the
sin, “the great separator” because it
separates us from God and all that
He would want to do for us. God
cannot work in our sin. He is holy
and He cannot bless sin. So on the
Cross Jesus dealt with our sin
problem.
I don’t fully understand what
happened on the Cross but in faith I
know Jesus went there for me and I
believe my God when He tells me in
His Book, “For since our friendship
with God was restored by the death
of His Son while we were still his
enemies, we will certainly be saved
through the life of his Son,” Romans
5:10.
I find it interesting how God chose
to send our Saviour into the world.
When God sent His Son into the
world to save us He chose to send
Him just as we begin life on earth.
He sent Him as a baby. There is
nothing intimidating about a baby.
On the contrary, babies put us at
ease. They make us smile. We talk
silly around babies. Our defences are
down around them.
I also find it interesting where
Jesus entered our world. When Jesus
was born, His birth was not
accompanied by nation-wide fanfare
with red carpets rolled out and
trumpets blowing to herald His birth.
On the contrary, Joseph and Mary
could not find a place for their child
to be born. They had to settle for the
Son of God to come into the world in
a stable. Instead of cheering crowds
and dignitaries being present, Jesus’
birth had to be witnessed by barn
animals.
There was nothing threatening or
intimidating us about Jesus’ arrival
into the world that first Christmas.
The same is true for His life and His
message for us at this Christmas
time. Jesus once gave us His
mission statement saying, “For God
did not send His Son into the world
to condemn the world, but that the
world through Him might be saved,”
(John 3:17).
Jesus did not condemn the world
because He didn’t need to. Our sin
has already done that for us. He
came to save us from the sin which
already condemns us. For a time I
lived my life as a condemned person.
I am guilty of sin, so I sought Jesus
and what He did on the Cross for
me. I asked for His forgiveness. I ask
Him to help me each day.
I did not like where my sin was
leading me so I reached out to the
One who has come to save me from
that horrible path. God tells us in
His Book, “But if we confess our
sins to Him (Jesus), He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all wickedness,”
(1John 1:9).
I did that years ago and I am still
growing in my relationship with my
God. He never messes up but I do
and when I do, I run to Him and seek
His forgiveness.
Jesus is more than just a good idea
or a nice thought at Christmas, I seek
Him. I read the Bible and study the
Bible. I go to Church, the place Jesus
established here on earth to help me
better know and grow in my saving
relationship with Him.
I want to be as close to my saving
God as I can be. I have His
assurance that He is with me in life
and He will be with me in my death.
What great gift this salvation is.
Merry Christmas everyone!
From the Minister’s Study
Continue to grow in relationship with God
Colin from the Glory Boys enjoys his Huron Chapel mug
while on tour. All first time visitors to Huron Chapel will
receive this mug as our thanks for your visit. See you
Sunday @ 10:30am in Auburn
huronchapel.com
PEOPLE ARE GETTING
MUGGED AT HURON CHAPEL
Sunday, December 13
Christmas Through God’s Eyes: The View & Sunday School Pageant
Sunday, December 20
Christmas Through God’s Eyes: The Ewe View
Blyth United Church
Est. 1875
MINISTER: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. OFFICE: 519-523-4224
Worship Service & Sunday School at 10 a.m.
All Welcome
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
Nursery care available
519-887-9017
Worship & Sunday School - 10 am
Coffee & Snacks - 11 am
We invite you to join our church family in:
Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2
- a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and
made possible by the Brussels churches working together.
BRUSSELS
WORSHIP SERVICE
AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 11:00 am
All Welcome
United Church
Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div.
Bulletin notices: 519-523-4224
blythunited@tcc.on.ca
Church bookings: 519-887-6377
Other concerns: 226-963-1175
getlivingwater.org
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God)
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Dec.13: Zeph.1:4ff, 3:11ff
Evangelical Missionary Church
“Reproach &
Rejoicing when
the Rednecks
Come Riding”
3rd Sunday in Advent: Joy
Christmas Eve Service/Pageant -
December 24, 7:00 p.m.
THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS.
OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Brussels:
St. Ambrose
Saturday
6:00 p.m.
17 Flora Street
Wingham:
Sacred Heart
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
220 Carling Terrace
Listowel:
St. Joseph’s
Sunday
11:00 a.m.
1025 Wallace Avenue N.
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, December 13
Brussels Business & Cultural Centre
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare provided for infants and
preschoolers during the sermon.
Coffee & cookies after the morning service.
For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Everyone Welcome!
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Evening Service 7:30 pm
Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743
You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen
Have A New
Addition?
Call for prices and details
519-523-4792
or 519-887-9114
Let everyone know about
your new bundle of joy!
The
Citizen